What are your age and profession?

[BruceH]

Just turned 51 last week. I'm an airline pilot(First Officer) for a major airline currently in bankruptcy. I've been flying since the age of 15, my mom used to drive me to the airport so I could go fly. The job is not what it used to be and no I am not rich by any stretch of the imagination. I bought a brand new RX-7 in 1983 after I graduated from college. Ended up selling it since I could not afford it as a flight instructor making a grand total of $8300 a YEAR! My first year working for an "airline" I made a grand total of $12,000 and it took me four years to break $20K. The airline business has not been kind to my finances but I still love to fly. Over the years I have owned a string of unexciting cars, trucks and mini vans I grew up watching racing as a kid and have always wanted a Porsche. I certainly can't justify new so I started out looking at used 911's. I didn't really even know about the Boxster until I started researching. I saw many comments about 911 owners wishing they hadn't sold their Boxster. I liked the Boxster pricing and once I drove one, I was bit. I absolutely love driving with the top down in this car! My other vehicle is a 2007 Toyota Tundra that is extremely reliable but is now relegated to driving to the airport and Lowes/HD. I can not imagine not owning a PCAR now

[jrider36]

I am 32 years old, Captain in the USAF. Profession = Dentist. I will be separating from the Air Force to start my own business in the near future.

It has been my dream since I was just a just a kid to own a Porsche. I originally wanted a 2008-2010 Cayman, but I changed my mind after test-driving my 09' Boxster. This is first car I have ever purchased, my previous cars were hand me downs from my parents. I currently also own a 04' Ford Explorer with 145,000 miles and going strong. I haven't really decided which is my daily driver, the plan is to drive the Boxster once to work and on the weekends.

I researched Boxster/Cayman for months, I was very happy to get a 09' Boxster for what I payed for.

Justin

[dbear61]

51, engineering supervisor at a major telecom company.

I purchased my 01 S in May because A) my daughter was graduating in June and I would be free of the $5K/quarter tuition and books cost; B) I needed a something to take over my -miles Acura CL 5spd which had no working A/C, needs a new timing belt, brakes, etc.; 3) after 30 years of only driving manual, I couldn't think of buying a car with auto; 4) I've wanted a Porsche since I was in my early teens; and 5) my father died in March with a life of dull vehicles behind him {Studebaker, Chevy Belaire & Townsman wagons, Dodge K-car, Ford Escort, Honda CRV}.

My first two cars were a 69 Camaro with a 2-sp auto (yes, 2-sp), a 71 Camaro, and I've also owned a Celica GT and the original 90 Eclipse GSX with turbo and AWD.

But the Boxster is incomparable. It's been my DD since I bought it, and is now almost ready for Winter hibernation.

DBear61

[blair206]

Bruce, had to laugh reading yours as it sounds like mine ! lol
I've been flying for 19yrs now 7300+hrs all in helicopters and 50 in a Cessna. I make a $100k now but first year as a CFI $12k! 2nd year $18k 3rd yr made more money bar backing !!! It took me 5yrs and moving to Canada to break $20k!!! lol

Thw wonderful world of Aviation

[BruceH]

Originally Posted by blair206

Bruce, had to laugh reading yours as it sounds like mine ! lol
I've been flying for 19yrs now 7300+hrs all in helicopters and 50 in a Cessna. I make a $100k now but first year as a CFI $12k! 2nd year $18k 3rd yr made more money bar backing !!! It took me 5yrs and moving to Canada to break $20k!!! lol

Thw wonderful world of Aviation

Yep, the glamorous life!

[Mike_Yi]

Originally Posted by BruceH

I'm an airline pilot(First Officer) for a major airline currently in bankruptcy.

I feel your pain man.

47 year old airline pilot (First Officer) at a regional airline (that means I make a hell of a lot less than Bruce, and work way harder/am gone from home more). Currently in the middle of my 5th year in this profession. Went from making a reasonable wage as a project manager (hated that job with a passion) to spending around $50k to finish up my flying, to making $12k as an instructor for a year, to making $17k as a professional airline pilot responsible for the lives of 50+ people many times a day.

I had been hoping to get a job at that major airline that is currently in bankruptcy, but now, I don't know where I hope to go.

All that being said, I still love my job. As my wife says, "I love my job when I'm actually doing it. It's all the other crap around the actual flying that sucks."

'99 Boxster is my first Porsche. Bought it to be a work/track car. Now it's all dinged up from the idiots in the airport parking lot, and after having thrown a bearing at Road America, I can't/won't track it anymore either. It's still fun to drive, but it is only serving half the purpose I bought it for, so I expect I won't have it much longer.

BTW, it's funny that the spell checker on this page thinks that "Boxster" is a misspelled word.

[Bear1970]

Originally Posted by Mike_Yi

I feel your pain man.

47 year old airline pilot (First Officer) at a regional airline (that means I make a hell of a lot less than Bruce, and work way harder/am gone from home more). Currently in the middle of my 5th year in this profession. Went from making a reasonable wage as a project manager (hated that job with a passion) to spending around $50k to finish up my flying, to making $12k as an instructor for a year, to making $17k as a professional airline pilot responsible for the lives of 50+ people many times a day.

I had been hoping to get a job at that major airline that is currently in bankruptcy, but now, I don't know where I hope to go.

Sorry to hear guys. Life in Europe isn't much better, I'm afraid. Same situation over here. Flying for a regional daughter company of one of the majors. Getting paid a lot less then the rest of the company. On the other hand... still go to work with a smile on my face and enjoying the views over Paris, Amsterdam and London. Life could be better, be could also be a lot worse.

[BruceH]

Originally Posted by Bear1970

...still go to work with a smile on my face and enjoying the views over Paris, Amsterdam and London. Life could be better, be could also be a lot worse.

Definitely! Still the best office view! After 36 years of flying, I still have my grin as well

[BlueStar]

67 years old. I am a EE by training. Started with Naval Weapons Center working on the sidewinder missile. Retired after 30 years with Bell Telephone Labs/AT&T. Last assignment was product engineering for silicon wafer fabrication.

My 2001 Boxster, Lapis Blue, is my first Porsche.
Previous sports cars:
1966 Mustang 2+2
1985 Mazda RX-7
1968 Jaguar E-Type Roadster
1963 Jaguar E-Type Roadster

[shadrach74]

Originally Posted by Bear1970

Sorry to hear guys. Life in Europe isn't much better, I'm afraid. Same situation over here. Flying for a regional daughter company of one of the majors. Getting paid a lot less then the rest of the company. On the other hand... still go to work with a smile on my face and enjoying the views over Paris, Amsterdam and London. Life could be better, be could also be a lot worse.

Flying is tough all over if you're trying to do it for money (several career pilot's in my family). If you're flying a GA single or twin for business/pleasure (I do), doing so in Europe seems to be cost/regulation prohibitive.

Do you do any flying outside of the company cockpit?

[Bear1970]

Originally Posted by shadrach74

Flying is tough all over if your trying to do it for money (several career pilot's in my family). If you're flying a GA single or twin for business/pleasure (I do), doing so in Europe seems to be cost/regulation prohibitive.

Do you do any flying outside of the company cockpit?

No flying outside the company cockpit at all. As you said before, GA flying in Europe is very expansive and the "free airspace" is limited. "Just flying around for hours" is pretty much impossible over here, without busting a CTR or two.
Renting a Cessna for a hour will can cost you up to 300 bucks, excluding fuel (which is very expensive) and landing fees.
Although I love flying, i guess my GA days are over.